Group of Seven leaders said on Wednesday they remain united in supporting Ukraine, including its territorial integrity, and agreed to increase sanctions on Russia in a joint statement issued at the end of their June 15–17 summit in Evian-les-Bains.
The statement highlighted Kyiv’s growing leverage as it seeks peace talks with Moscow, noting Ukraine’s strengthened position following successful drone incursions that weakened Russia’s hand.
U.S. President Donald Trump attends a working session with G7 leaders and outreach partners on promoting economic growth during the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, June 17, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
The unity of the declaration was notable given U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has at times been difficult to align on the issue of ending the war in Ukraine.
Ukraine talks and diplomatic momentum
The statement followed what Trump described as a “very good” meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other G7 leaders on Tuesday, raising hopes that a peace deal could eventually be reached. Zelenskiy said he could meet Trump again on Wednesday.
The G7 also welcomed the preliminary peace deal between the United States and Iran, signed by Trump on the eve of the summit, and said members are ready to help implement it.
U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attend a working session with G7 leaders and outreach partners on promoting economic growth during the G7 Summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, June 17, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Leaders further agreed to work on diversifying energy supply routes to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz and to increase energy stocks.
Critical minerals and economic tensions
On Wednesday, leaders turned to global economic imbalances and critical minerals as a central theme of France’s G7 presidency.
France pushed for a statement on critical minerals that could include measures to reduce Western dependence on China and protect investors from counter-measures and dumping, according to diplomats.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Council President Antonio Costa, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Caroline Merotto, wife of Switzerland’s President Guy Parmelin, Japan’s Prime minister Sanae Takaichi, Swiss Federal President Guy Parmelin, Brazil’s Rosangela “Janja” da Silva, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, South Korea’s first lady Kim Hea Kyung, French President’s wife Brigitte Macron, British Prime Minister’s wife Victoria Starmer, U.S. President Donald Trump, Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney, Canadian Prime Minister’s wife Diana Carney, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor’s wife Charlotte Merz, European Commission President’s husband Heiko von der Leyen, , Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Kenya’s first lady Rachel Ruto and Kenya’s President William Ruto pose for a family photo before a cultural performance and concert during the G7 summit, in Evian-les-Bains, France, June 16, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
Concerns were raised over China’s export restrictions in 2025, which affected industries reliant on rare earth materials and exposed vulnerabilities in Western supply chains across energy, defense and technology sectors.
A French presidency official said discussions were focused on economic sovereignty, including potential measures such as price supports, standards, subsidies, guaranteed purchases and support for private investment in mineral supply chains outside China.
However, officials noted that any G7 measures would likely represent initial steps rather than immediate solutions.
Trade imbalances and China focus
Leaders also discussed global trade rebalancing and what France described as “predatory competition,” mainly linked to China.
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi smiles at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as he greets leaders during a family photo before a cultural performance and concert at the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, June 16, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
France characterized global imbalances as China producing too much, the United States consuming too much, and Europe investing too little.
Concerns have grown in Europe over China’s record trade surplus and its shift into higher-value industries, described by analysts as a “second China shock.”
China has rejected claims of unfair subsidies and warned of countermeasures against EU policies, while the European Union is preparing further trade defense discussions.
The EU recorded a trade deficit of more than €360 billion with China last year.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy meets German Chancellor Friedrich Merz during the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, June 16, 2026. Michael Kappeler/Pool via REUTERS
AI and broader agenda
G7 leaders also discussed artificial intelligence over lunch, including questions of liability for AI systems and how to determine what is true or false. OpenAI founder Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei were expected to attend.
Separately, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the United States under Trump had shifted to a more realistic view of the war in Ukraine after multiple discussions during the summit.
Carney also said Canada is on track to produce 150 megatons of LNG by year-end and aims to complete a trade deal with India by the G20 summit in November.
